"Rise and shine, Layla!" 

That loud yet cheery voice woke me up from my deep slumber. I stretched my arms and got out of bed. I walked to the bathroom, half awake and half asleep. I grabbed my electronic toothbrush and my smiley-faced mug and started brushing my teeth. 

After that, I washed my face with soap and water before walking down to the dining area. Angelica was laying out pancakes and cups of milk on the table. 

"Good morning, Layla!" Angelica greeted me. "It's your first day at school today, so I've got you a new school bag, new stationery, new water bottle and a new lunch box. I also got you some notebooks for you to take down notes in class!" 

"Uhh...thanks I guess," I replied, walking to my seat at the dining table.

"You're welcome, sweetheart! Eat your breakfast quick, the school bus is coming soon. I'll help you fill up your lunchbox with some healthy snacks!" Angelica exclaimed in excitement as she grabbed one of the pink lunchboxes from the table.

I grabbed my fork and started munching on my pancakes. I started thinking about school. Will I make new friends? Are the teachers there as nice as those at my old school? 

After I finished my breakfast, I got off from the dining table and went to get changed into my new school uniform. The uniform was white in color. After changing, I grabbed my bag and lunch bag before heading to the doorstep to wear my new school shoes and socks. Angelica passed me my wallet, which had a few dollar notes in it. 

"I'll see you after school!" Angelica waved goodbye to me as the school bus pulled up outside our house. I waved back to her, forcing a smile. I walked on the school bus and showed my bus card to the driver. He nodded at me and directed me to sit beside a boy wearing a red sweater. 

"Oh hello, you must be the new student." he greeted me warmly, with his soft voice.

"Y...Yes, I...I am the new student," I replied shyly, looking away. 

I was typically shy and quiet, so I didn't like to speak to people much. Even if I spoke, no one would be able to hear me. 

"I'm Joseph, nice to meet you. Mrs Rachel has assigned me to be your buddy, which means I would be showing you around the school for the rest of the day." the boy added. 

I nodded my head in shyness and looked out of the window. I could see people walking their dogs, people jogging, and there was also a small girl who was playing on the swing. I missed the times where my mother and I would walk our family dog, Rover, in the park every Saturday morning. I missed my mother way more than anyone else. Tears formed in my eyes as I thought about my mother's warm smile. She was the prettiest and kindest human being I had ever met. 

"Hey, we reached the school already." I felt a tap on my shoulder and jolted to the present immediately. Joseph shoved me off the bus, asking me to hurry up and walk faster. 

After the both of us got off the bus, Joseph led me to our classroom. There was a female teacher who welcomed me in, followed by the clapping of students. 

"This is our new classmate, Layla. She will be joining us from today onwards. Please welcome her to our class!" the teacher announced to the entire class. 

Cheery faces looked up at me as I smiled shyly. The teacher, who addressed herself as Mrs Rachel, led me to my seat. I sat beside Joseph, with a girl with long hair in front of me. 

"Today, we will be talking about occupations. Let's take turns to share what our parents' occupations are, shall we?" Mrs Rachel explained to the class. "Layla, would you like to share first?"

I stood up and looked down at the ground. I looked back up at Mrs Rachel, who smiled warmly at me. 

"M...my mother used to work at a bakery," I murmured softly. "My father works as a...a businessman." 

"That's interesting, Layla!" Mrs Rachel clapped her hands. "You said your mother used to work at a bakery...then what does she work as now?"

Tears formed my eyes as I looked down at the ground. Mrs Rachel walked closer towards me. 

"My mother...she's gone," I cried. "She passed on." 

I wailed in sorrow as Mrs Rachel hugged me. "I'm so sorry, Layla." she said as she patted my shoulder. My classmates stared at Mrs Rachel and me, whispering and gossiping about something I couldn't hear.

"I..I am really so sorry, Layla. Are you all right?" Mrs Rachel asked me remorsefully. The look in her eyes made me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. 

"I...I...I'm fine," I replied, looking away. 

Mrs Rachel asked me to sit down back on my seat and continued the class discussion with the rest of the class. I buried my face in my hands as I wept silently. Memories of my mother came back to me, which made me cry even more. 

After English lesson ended, it was Physical Education. Everyone rushed out of class, heading to the gym.